Muscat: oil exploration by Petroleum Development (OMAN) Ltd

This file relates to oil exploration in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman by Petroleum Development (Oman) Limited (PDO). The company holds the concessions for the Sultan's dominions, except Dhofar, but has been unable to penetrate into central Oman because of the local tribes and the Sultan's inability to control them. For this reason, the geological party is provided with a sizeable armed escort, paid for by the company with HMG recruiting British officers to lead it. HMG hope this will have dual effect of helping the Sultan extend his authority over the tribes in the interior of Oman. The file focusses primarily on the Muscat and Oman Field Force, also known as the Huqf Force, which provided the security. It contains correspondence, including many letters written by the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Saeed Bin Taimur, concerning:

• The Sultan's acceptance of B A B Burrows's suggestion that Major F W Haugh serve with the Field Force as second in command
• Appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Percy Coriat as Commandant of the Field Force, including the terms of his contract, and his determination that he be accompanied by his wife
• Criticism of the previous Field Force Commandant, P J Mcgill
• Recruitment and training within the Field Force and the need to improve terms of service
• Sheikh Sulaiman Bin Himyar Al Nabhani's ambitions and his recently gained influence over the Imam of Oman
• Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdulla Al Salmi's intention to try to persuade the Imam and other sheikhs that Muscat and Oman should be united
• Inspection of the Field Force by Brigadier J E A Baird, F C L Chauncy and the Sultan, who was disappointed with the state of the force
• Problems with personnel and morale, including the resignations of Captain A L Merrell and Lieutenant Colonel Coriat, who is frustrated that the role and conditions were not what he expected
• Enquiries with Glubb Pasha as to whether any former Arab Legion officers might be recruited
• Death of the Imam of Oman Mohammad Bin Abdulla Al Khalili on 3 May 1954 and the election of Ghalib Bin Ali Al Hina'i to replace him
• The Sultan's consideration of establishing a small police force, starting in Salalah, with Henry St John Basil Armitage in mind to lead it
• Appointment of W H Cheeseman as Commandant
• Relations, negotiations, agreements and disputes with tribal sheikhs, including a misunderstanding involving the Duru
• PDO's intention to drill a test well for oil at Fahud
• Plans to expand the Field Force
• Possibility of attacks by Ghalib Al Hina'i, Sheikh Sulaiman Bin Himyar and Sheikh Saleh Bin Isa Al Harthi 
• 'Agreement of Terms for an Officer of the Muscat and Oman Field Force'
• Private code cipher